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Where you are going in life...

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KJacks
Posts: 440 - Karma: 2,329
at what point did you decide you knew what you wanted to pursue in your life (if you have made a decision)?

Im sitting here two years into a degree that i have no interest in, kinda feeling pinned by my parents into an education. And i honestly cannot decide where to go from here. Now i know there are a ton of kid in this same situation right now.
But seriously how did some of you make your decision in what to pursue.. And should i bother finishing my science degree at this time I feel like I'm just wasting my money and time at this point, but i also know i want/need an education at some point.


Jan 17 2014 3:37PM
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Wheaty214
Posts: 1687 - Karma: 841
I think this is the best advice I have ever heard about finding a career to pursue in life...
Find a lifestyle that you enjoy,
find a job that fits that life style.
Who cares about money when you're living a good life.
We weren't put on this earth to sulk around and not accomplish or enjoy anything. We were put here to have great experiences and to enjoy life.
Jan 18 2014 1:45AM
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Halo1junkie
Posts: 202 - Karma: 435
Lets go bowling dude...
Jan 18 2014 1:47AM
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Rusticles
Posts: 2180 - Karma: 1,337
This is a fantastic idea, that's what I did. Great opportunities
Jan 18 2014 1:54AM
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Rusticles
Posts: 2180 - Karma: 1,337
What more could anyone ask for
Jan 18 2014 1:57AM
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jibbpeter
Posts: 1613 - Karma: 4,083
Some years ago i really didn't know what to do... Dropped out of the last year on highschool due to some famili shit that really dragged me the fuck down. But after 1 year of doing nothing i found out that i wanted to start making films, so i applied for a private filmschool and got in. Went there for 2 years, and learn'd fuckloads of intresting shit, plus i grew insanly much as a person that you have no fucking idea (imagine a broken person with no selfconfidence and plans for the future, to someone that know exacly what he wants and is in control).

So i had the chance to take my bachleor down in Cape town, but decided to ditch it so i can work with my own project. Im currently writing a feature film which i will be directing and shooting. I have a good team of people i thrust around me who helps me a lot with the script, and planning at the moment. Im following my dream, i know how to get there, its not going to be easy but it's doable, and i know i can do it! Many in especially my family says this is not the way to go, you must do something safe and blah fucking blah! Id say FUCK YOU, im doing what i do best! And if i fail i will know that i've tried my best and can go along with the safe stuff later. Im young now and i feel this is kind of a now or never thing for me. So im doing it!

2014 is the year that dreams come true!
Jan 18 2014 11:50AM
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Dustin.
Posts: 13839 - Karma: 7,704
There are a lot of openings though. Lots of people going in and out in that field.
Jan 18 2014 12:38PM
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SKI.ING
Posts: 2695 - Karma: 2,535
Don't ignore this. Nobody wants to be that cynical hardass, but this is the truth and it hit me hard after school. Honestly, add up all you're current expenses such as rent/food, car, gas, insurance, phone bill, utilities. Then add on to that movies, drinks, skiing, and recreational activities. Then add on to that a having a girl or taking girls out. Everybody acts all macho and says they pay ALL of their bills and stuff, but really be honest with yourself and having job prospects will sound a lot better. Once you have that secured then you can pursue your other stuff and if it takes off, it takes off. No harm in switching later on. But unless you want to be on you parents payroll into your thirties, stay the course and switch later.

I did that and it really hit me hard and I'd rather pursue my hobbies/passions on the side. Sure I'd rather be outside all day, but we live in a society where most jobs are inside. Like this guy said you don't have to be a millionaire, but being a bum can get real old real quick unless you have you're parents bailing you out a lot, which is demeaning in my opinion.
Jan 18 2014 1:25PM
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Spagett+
Posts: 3499 - Karma: 14,884
Your lack of a GED is showing.
Jan 20 2014 12:24PM
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SFB
Posts: 8895 - Karma: 26,352
o shit u got him good.
Jan 20 2014 12:26PM
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TheBigApple
Posts: 1169 - Karma: 488
I think I committed to something in 3rd or 4th year and am now givin'er! Have a sick job, and life and lovin it. YOU JUST HAVE TO LEARN TO LIKE/LOVE SOMETHING ENOUGH TO TRY HARD FOR IT. You might not initially like it but try try try too! Everything is fascinating in it's own way.
Jan 20 2014 4:42PM
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DNK
Posts: 132 - Karma: 93
I think you should finish the degree.. maybe you just havent found the right subcategory that fuels your passion. I chose health professions my freshman year, exercise science sophomore, then finally settling on Clinical Exercise Science specifically for cardiac/ pulmonary rehabilitation. I graduated last August and am now working on some certifications that should hopefully end this awful job hunt.

On the other hand, I had a friend who was in the same program as me, dropped out and is going to be paying back three years of student loans without the degree..
Jan 20 2014 6:21PM
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bdarb207
Posts: 3057 - Karma: 438
Get a degree. Doesn't mean you need to work in that field. You need one to be taken seriously for a lot of jobs though, regardless your field of study.
Jan 20 2014 8:22PM
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Rusticles
Posts: 2180 - Karma: 1,337
If your parents can handle it financially then stay, otherwise they will be even more disappointed when you graduate and never use 60k worth of education. You don't have to grow up yet and decide what you want to do for the rest of your life right now
Jan 20 2014 8:53PM
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yasgur99
Posts: 402 - Karma: 955
I heard it pays well
Jan 20 2014 8:55PM
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Kronor
Posts: 217 - Karma: 167
Currently working towards my English degree, my parents don't really want me to get an English degree because of no job opportunity after college but I'm doing it because its what I love. Maybe someday I'll be able to write some dope articles on the crazy skiing adventures I went on with some of my best friends. You don't need money to be happy, you need the other shit like companionship, and hobbies to be happy. Although, a steady paycheck may be nice someday.
Jan 20 2014 9:00PM
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caderobinson
Posts: 1193 - Karma: 4,770
Although collage is a few years away for me, I have an idea what I may want to do. Traveling the world seems really sick to me. I would love to travel the world and make short films/take photography of all the places i go. Films/photography including culture and characteristics of the places i go to. Kind of like the gopro videos they always make For me this would be sick. Although I have this dream, I dont know if there is any money to be made doing this, or what I should major in and where I should go to school.

If anybody could be give me solid answers I would appreciate it greatly.
Jan 20 2014 9:35PM
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caderobinson
Posts: 1193 - Karma: 4,770
Didnt mean to put that be in there.^
Jan 20 2014 9:36PM
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iH8pow
Posts: 1804 - Karma: 7,642
I was a freshman in college. Was majoring in Econ, but since I was just a freshman I was taking beginner level courses/generals. One of which was geology...
..I was smoking a bowl at the one of the creeks/rivers by the school which is 1.7 billion year old igneous rock that has been carved into creating nice waterfalls and rapids. The thought that the shoreline of what now is lake superior was once volcanoes blew my mind. I was intrigued.
Then I learned that there is a high demand of jobs in geology. So I went for it.

Being a grownup sucks, but at least I had fun in college and still got pretty good jobs right out of school
Jan 20 2014 9:41PM
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lIllI
Posts: 1255 - Karma: 1,986
I want to be a musician. I'm currently finishing up my Finance degree, and will go on to do videography as a cynical means for cash to fund my music habit.
Jan 20 2014 9:47PM
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SKI.ING
Posts: 2695 - Karma: 2,535
what?
Jan 21 2014 12:58AM
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yeahno
Posts: 4008 - Karma: 3,414
All I know is I want to ski and make some money
Jan 21 2014 1:13AM
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DaveJ
Posts: 315 - Karma: 1,096
I'm in the exact same position and it sucks. Im just going to ski bum the year after I graduate and if I like ski bumming I will continue to do it till I don't.
Jan 21 2014 1:24AM
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mikeyp433
Posts: 78 - Karma: 237
This is exactly what I want to do, and I think going around filming for a company would be a Kick ass thing to do, but it is really hard to get into that.
Jan 21 2014 2:01AM
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lIllI
Posts: 1255 - Karma: 1,986
What's not to understand?
Jan 21 2014 10:58AM
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.Duncan.
Posts: 1375 - Karma: 459
What school?
Jan 21 2014 11:27AM
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ObiWanKablowme
Posts: 421 - Karma: 539
im a junior in college and im majoring in marketing and economics. my goal is to go into market research with a firm like Nielsen or someone similar. lots of business majors don't like the research side so i hope that helps me land a job
Jan 21 2014 11:44AM
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adzy
Posts: 151 - Karma: 370
I know exactly how you feel man. I'm in my second year of Electrical Eng, and not enjoying. I'm thinking of different streams or even maybe programs. My primary new choices are Civil Eng, Architectural Eng. or Architectural Design. But I feel like I'm too far in my degree and it will be a waste of money. But you got to think what makes you happy, and if you really hate it, there's no point b/c you'll be doing this for the rest of your life. Good luck with your decision!
Jan 22 2014 10:43AM
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.Duncan.
Posts: 1375 - Karma: 459
What do you mean you are too far into your degree? As long as you have the required math a switch to any of those should be pretty easy.
Jan 23 2014 1:02AM
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PeppermillReno
Posts: 4798 - Karma: -676
This is the best advice on the thread. Not being a sheep will be the first step towards success. Just ignore other peoples l/ike your parents shitty advice and blaze your own path. As long as you are conscious of getting money to live on you'll be fine.

Do whatever you can to get multiple income streams. 2 low paying jobs and a side hustle as a third will have you in good shape.

And try to be the boss at your shitty job if you think you'll be there a while get a certificate or whatever and you are good.

If you want to travel do web design or something and work remotely. You can even be a call center rep from anywhere. You can work in 7-11 anywhere. Get a with disabled people anywhere and make sure the people are cool and don't suck.

If you are entrepreneurial hustle stuff on ebay. If you are wealthy do real estate sales or buying them yourself.

Learn how to play poker well.

Im sorry but 3 years relevant experience beats an unrelated college degree every day of the week.
Jan 23 2014 1:11AM
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*ninja*
Posts: 2108 - Karma: 1,143
i want to be a knee surgeon but i know there is no way i could go to school for 7 more years after highschool
Jan 23 2014 1:17AM
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PeppermillReno
Posts: 4798 - Karma: -676
First off I'll burst your bubble about making money off your stories, pics, or documentaries. Lots of people have these kind of ideas and if anything you'll have to travel to places you don't want to go and film human misery to find people who care enough to watch. You and your buddies having fun cliff jumping in Africa won't pay the bills. And trust me there is no shortage of people who try to make it this way most are rich trust fund babies supported by their parents.

I have a cousin who is an accomplished film maker and has had films in Cannes and travels the world making movies. He started it with 1 million in the bank from being an investment banker. He now has zero and asks his parents for money and hes as close to anyone who's made it withotu being a celebrity. (His film making break was filming those anit putin russian lesbians pussy riot but he got bored of them and fucked off and then a week later they went to jail and got famous and another documentary maker cashed in and not him.)




If you want this lifestyle I'd say do something like work on an oil rig. You can go work on an oil rig off the coast of Australia and work 2 weeks on 2 weeks off and live in Thailand like a king when you are off. And you can make 200k a year doing shit like that with almost no skills so just doing it 6 months a year will put you in good standing.
Jan 23 2014 1:18AM
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SKI.ING
Posts: 2695 - Karma: 2,535
So then you don't want to be a knee surgeon really.
Jan 25 2014 1:19AM
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Ye_ol_wild_Koala
Posts: 270 - Karma: 121
Go here.
http://www.bls.gov/ooh/
Do some research. Pick something.
Go shadow someone that does that or at least talk to them.
Pick a cool school somewhere, have a blast, and stay involved with that shit with internships/ outreach/shadowing.
Get your dream job.

Thats what I did back in 2003, just finished up school
Jan 25 2014 11:33AM
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act.resist
Posts: 8875 - Karma: 513
military? outdoor recreation?
Jan 25 2014 12:48PM
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VT_scratch
Posts: 8781 - Karma: 6,213
It gets better
Jan 26 2014 1:03AM
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TheGreenBastard
Posts: 215 - Karma: 135
definetly Switzerland
Jan 26 2014 1:06PM
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P_Doze
Posts: 57 - Karma: 583
that industry is getting very old, very fast. there will be a ton of high earning opportunities in the next decade.

don't worry about your major. unless the industry requires very specific education(doctors, lawyers, accountants, scientists, etc), many employers don't give a shit about what you majored in, only that you finished college.

if and when you do finish college, don't feel like you need to get a job ASAP. it's the best time of your life to go live out your dreams and shit before settling down and working a full time job for the rest of your life.


Jan 26 2014 1:40PM
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TechnoPotamus
Posts: 11626 - Karma: 3,522
it wasn't until I was out of college for a couple years and realized that my career wasn't really leading anywhere that was good enough for me to be proud of. so I decided to go back to school and do what I really wanted to, and it was the best decision I have ever made. But yeah, it took a long time, all things considered.
Jan 26 2014 1:58PM
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freestyler540
Posts: 13082 - Karma: 18,718
Undertake a bunch of project and find what speaks to you. You can start volunteering, take up new hobbies and try new sports you havent considered.
Jan 26 2014 2:04PM
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t-roy
Posts: 4041 - Karma: 52
computer sciences or software development would be a solid background to have...but only if you really want to be stuck in front of a computer every day forever.

I chose a healthcare career because of good job placement, good salary, good lifestyle, job stability, etc...

I picked my career during my senior year in high school and stuck with it for 8 years. It's hard to know what you are really going to like until you start doing it every single day...I'm glad I made the right choice.
Jan 26 2014 6:13PM
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SKI.ING
Posts: 2695 - Karma: 2,535
So then you got lucky really. How did you know senior year what you wanted to do?
Jan 26 2014 7:41PM
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lIllI
Posts: 1255 - Karma: 1,986
Surely it costs money to "live our your dreams" before settling down, no? In which case, wouldn't some temporary job make sense?
Jan 31 2014 5:12PM
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